AN ITALIAN ARTIST ON THE WAR.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 70, 23 March 1915, Page 7

AN ITALIAN ARTIST ON THE WAR.

(To the Editor.) Sir,—The following is an extract from a letter from G. P. Nerli, the well known Italian artist, who spent some considerable time, in New Zealand, and who now resides in London:—"Tbe war is a terrible tiling. Italy is sure to come in, and 'the sooner the better to help crush the Kaiser and his war party. I am sure it is not only the relations of the dead Allies who curse him, hut thousands of poor German families as well; and after the horrors we have gone through since August, we are not commenced yet. 1 think 1 am too old to bo railed when Italy starts, but still you never know what may happen." He also sends mc a clever little sketch which has been published in London, entitled "Hoist Her Top Sheet and Spanker." Please take note that this is a. nautical term.—l am, etc., J. DOUGLAS PERRETT. BEAUTIFYING AUCKLAND. (To the Editor.) Sir.—The December number of "TownPlanning' , makes reference to the Commission of Artists appointed under the French Republic in 17!)3—the first bod} that formally devoted iteelf to the artistic development of towns. As a result of its labours under Napoleon 1., Naproleon 111. and eince that time it io pointed out that Paris has recouped herself over and over again for the enormous outlay on various parts of the city. Tllie plan on which the London society is now working iss coneidered as urgently essential for the development of London, and a.s certain to produce similar result*, ac the proposals of the Revolutionary artists did for Paris, ''which is the delight of the world at the present day." "What the French artists of the Revolution did for Paris the English artists shall have the opportunity of doing for London in the English manner."' What the artists engaged with Mr. Hiloy are doing foi Auckland in their peculiar manner will no doubt make the city "the delight of t;lue world"—'to hen' rivnJs and enomi«s.— 1 am, etc.. . FORESHORE. AUCKLAND DOCK. (To the Editor.) Sir.—With Reveral of your correspondente, I agree that it would be a great error not to re-erect elsewhere the Auckland Graving Dock, at present in process of demolition. I suppose nothing I may say will prevail to prevent the closing of the dock in its present position, and. therefore. 1 would respectfully urge that it be reconstructed on the northern eide of the harbour, where suitable sites could bo found. In my opinion, an excellent location would be between Birkcnhcad and Chelsea wharves. Here the necessary depth of water exists, and a sufficient area of land could be secured adjoining for the various industries concerned, such as foundries, • shipbuilding yards, etc. There the dock and its adjunct* could remain without need of molestation, to carry out the increasing demands occasioned by the growing business of the port by the expansion of the province. The locality suggested is <juitc handy, and yet sufficiently removed from the (ongestion of shipping around the numerous wharves on the southern side of the harbour, il understand that thie site ran the Calliope site very closely for the construction of Auckland's big dock many years ago.—l am, etc., PROGRESS. (To the Editor.) Sir,—Captain Koss is evidently in a fog, and the-only thing visible is "Vested interests." and the inspiratory influence docs not appear to imbue him.with confidence, and he has asked mc to pilot him through. The people's progressive Harbour Board is custodian of the public purse, and lias already tackled glaring anomalies, and will continue to administer the task allotted to it on business lines, in conjunction with the 'by-lawe and efficiency of the port in accordance with the dictates of the people, irrespective of ""Vested interests."' In the good old days of the Hartoiir Board, -with an unique constitution, resolutions were passed without any record in minute-book. Now "Vested interests" have enjoyed remunerative privileges such as towages, pilotage, and launch work, but the advent of the progressive Board deemed it advisable to do this class of work itself, which obviously caused bitterness amonget those enjoying these privileges, and ever since "Vested intereste"' have shown a great deal of antagonism to the Board's comprehensive harbour scheme, though it was approved of by two leading engineers of the Dominion, also by the shipping people and the public. The closing of the Auckland dock was also embraced in the scheme, and the Board has promised, if it is actually required, it will be rebuilt. There is an old saying, which aptly describes the antagonism, viz., "It requires no ability to criticise, and that is the reason why there are so many critics." To thus might be added, if they have lost through the adoption of a scheme, their criticisms will b.e extremely bitter. During last year 101 vessels, under f>oo tons and 24 over that tonnage, were docked in the Auckland Dock, and ac the Harbour Board has built a tiOO-ton slipway, and will dock any vessel over this tonnage in Calliope Dock to Increase its earning power at Auckland dock rates, and as two large companies are building slipways to do their own work, it is apparent there will not be much work for the Board's slipway, and yet we are asked to keep a £60,000 dock in stock at a loss of £3000 per annum in interest for some unforeseen contingency, when the Calliope Dock is not paying its -way, though it is necessary, and we do not deny it. The Auckland Dock land will be leased, and it is estimated to bring in a revenue of £4000 per annum in ground rents, besides improving the waterfront and making easy access to Ilobeon Street wharf, which will he a great convenience to the public. Which does the public prefer—a loss of £3000 or a profit of £4000 per annum? This is the question at issue. Captain Ross is owner of an Island trader, and / don't tbink he would keep in stock an idle vessel in the event of disaster overtaking the worker. It he did, the idler would soon absorb the profit of the worker, and. being an alert business num. 1 feel sure he will now admit the Board's policy is the correct one. and that he has been sadly misled by the "Vested interests'' bogy. As all the Board's wharves return a good rate of interest, except the ferry ones., com ment is needless.—l am. etc., n virtue, "twnber AJ8..8.